Religious Fundamentalism

Hello my name is Rowan Blake and my dissertation is on the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Iran (I couldn’t think of anything funny, so here is some work form my undergraduate years):

The aim of this essay is to examine the factors that significantly contributed to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Iran, which culminated in the revolutionary overthrow of the Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi on January 16th, 1979, and the creation of the world’s first modern Islamic nation-state, the Islamic Republic of Iran. The overthrow of the Pahlavi monarch shocked many in the Western world because from the end on World War II until the late 1970’s Iran appeared to be a rock of stability in the turbulent Middle East, as it was a bulwark against Soviet expansionism, political radicalism and Islamic fundamentalism, as well as modernizing and adopting some Western institutions (such as a parliament and a constitution, which did not however, limit the absolute power of the Shah) and cultural values (such as Western dress and the banning of the veiling of women). Many leaders in the Western world simply ignored, or seemed totally unaware of, the civil unrest that was fermenting within Iran, which is adequately demonstrated by a remark made by U.S. President Jimmy Carter in 1978, only a year before the Islamic revolution, in which he states that Iran was an ‘island of stability and tranquility’ in the Middle East.

When discussing the topic of Islamic fundamentalism (or any kind of fundamentalism for that matter, such as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism etc.) it must be noted how cultural perceptions and stereotypes influence the way in which people think in relation to the topic. When the words ‘Islamic fundamentalism’ are used in the Western media, the images that are conjured up in our minds are of militant, retrogressive, women oppressing, terrorist extremists who are dedicated to the destruction of the West, and in particular to the destruction of the ‘Great Satan’ - the United States. Thus, when Western people think of fundamentalist movements, our cultural perceptions (usually formed as a result of the selective and sensational nature of the world’s main, Western

dominated, media corporations) results in a view of these movements as being unrepresentative of the greater population, backward, and inherently dangerous to domestic, regional and international security. However, upon closer examination it can be seen that many Islamic fundamentalist groups enjoy broad political support from all socio-economic groups (but usually draw most of their support from the poorer rural and urban classes), and are often the only effect voices of opposition to the repressive regimes that rule most of the Muslim world. Islamic movements can thus be very diverse and have various, and often conflicting, ideologies (as demonstrated by the current civil war in Afghanistan between Taliban extremists and the more secular and socialist Mujahideen), which results in some Islamic groups being more extreme, radical and anti-Western whereas others are more secular, accommodating and less anti-Western (few, if any, Islamic groups could be classed as pro-Western). However, all are grouped under the label of ‘fundamentalist’ in the common view of the West, despite the variety and depth in their different ideological interpretations of Islam and its relations to real life issues. A more unbiased look at a religious fundamentalist movement reveals that it is primarily a call for the return to the basic foundations (fundamentals) of a faith. Hence for Muslims, Islamic fundamentalism refers to a return to the underlying principles of Islam. These fundamentals are that the Quaran is the literal word of God, and that God’s will is to be observed by strict adherence to the Sharia (the Islamic laws that govern most aspects of a Muslim’s life) and by following the Sunnah (which means ‘example’) of the life of the Prophet Muhammad.

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Defining and Distinguishing “Fundamentalism”
Fundamentalism, in the most general of senses, is a strategy used within religious communities to reclaim their sacred past, and therefore maintain their identity as a distinct group. They refer to selected doctrines and scriptures, which are considered to be the “fundamentals” of their beliefs. They are zealously driven by a sense of self-preservation, and the need to convert their adversaries (who, in their case, is anyone but themselves) (Marty, 1). Protestant fundamentalists fit this definition well. They emerged in the early 20th century in opposition to, what they considered to be, an increasingly morally corrupt world. They have since continued to revere the “fundamental” requirements for salvation by basing every aspect of their lives on the perceived “divinely inspired” writings...

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Fundamentalism is “a belief in returning to the literal meanings of scriptural texts. Fundamentalism may arise as a response to modernization and rationalization, insisting on faith-based answers, and defending tradition by using traditional grounds.” Fundamentalists believe that their view is only one true view of the world which leaves no room for ambiguity and that this is the true correct belief (Giddens, 2009). Fundamentalist ideas are ideas based on what is thought to be the one ‘essential truth’. Throughout fundamentalism, there are different strains of thought with regards how to approach the true life. One is Passive, where its members withdraw into their own small communities and share it with only a few on the outside when necessary. The other is Active, which focuses on bringing opposition to the entire modern world until they have their way. There are also different families of fundamentalisms in the world. Examples of these would be Islamic fundamentalism and The Christian Right movements. Fundamentalism shares throughout the different religions a common rejection of ‘liberal attitudes’. The attitudes rejected are those of morality, the lifestyle of the people and politics of the nation. Instead what are believed in are the traditional values of social order and...

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To do this the paper will firstly gather various definitions of the term from the most basic to those containing degrees of complexity. Once achieved, a heavy emphasis on the history of fundamentalism will be undertaken that will allow the reader to appreciate what it is and how its rise in the twentieth century came about. The 1925 Scopes monkey trial will be mentioned alongside two...

...There are many themes that can be considered in the novel “Persepolis.” One of the major themes that can be found in the book is fundamentalism vs. modernism/western ideals. The author, Satrapi uses fundamentalism and modernism to show that there are multiple opposing sides to how society should be run. She clearly depicts this idea through various images and context in the novel, giving the reader a clear understanding of a conflict between two different groups. The idea being shown in this novel that the reader can learn is that there are always multiple sides in a conflict, and that each side will try to control society and modify it to follow their standards.
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A Paper
Submitted to Dr. Homer Massey
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Course
History of Christianity II
CHHI 525
By, Johnny walker
INERRANCY OF THE SCRIPTURES
Outline
Fundamentalism is a type of religious reaction to all forms of modernity. Within Christianity this phenomenon is mostly characteristic of Protestantism but is also found in Catholicism. In fact, the term fundamentalism was coined in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, but it was only toward the end of that century that the term began to be applied to some Catholic movements.
Thesis Statement:
Scriptural inerrancy and Fundamentalism cannot be separated. Throughout history the inerrancy of Scripture has been the basic foundation of the Fundamental movement. This movement has and continues to defend, promote and love the divine Word of God.
Introduction
Protestantism.
"Inerrancy of the Scripture" means that the Scripture, as written, is without error. The Scriptures were inspired by God which means God breathed out the words of Scriptures. Human authors wrote the words of the Bible as the Holy Spirit gave them out. The Bible states, "All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God" (II Timothy 3:16). It says, "Holy men of...

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Following evidence of a revitalisation in religious faith1 throughout the world, and a series of terrorist incidents purportedly motivated by religiousfundamentalism, various commentators have argued globalisation has ushered in new forms of radical religious belief and expression and a unique form of contemporary terrorism. This essay contends that while various forms of religious belief and terrorism have been present in all human societies where congregation of groups has occurred, religiousfundamentalism and the current examples of terrorism are distinctly modern phenomena intimately bound to the processes and consequences of globalisation. This essay will examine firstly how globalisation has acted as a catalyst for the growth in religiousfundamentalism and a resultant rise in religiously justified violence, and secondly how the unequal experiences of globalisation has led to a rise in terrorist activity. Specifically, the notion of a perceived necessity for a reassertion of religiosity as a response to globalisation will be examined, particularly as a result of; the convergence and clash of beliefs and ideas; forces of secularism; the consequences of modernity and the anxieties...